Saratoga News City officials not worried about Y2K bug By Steve Enders The countdown has begun to the new millennium, and virtually every leader in the government and business sectors is scrambling, trying to make sure a simple computer glitch doesn't cause a crisis. According to Mary Jo Walker, the city's administrative services director, there shouldn't be any problem at Saratoga City Hall with the "Y2K bug" when Jan. 1, 1999 turns over to 2000. The problem is a relatively simple one, she says. Back when computers were being developed, programmers wanted to save space and started dropping the "19" when programming years into system software. Until recently, they failed to see that when 2000 comes around, computers and their software won't recognize the proper year. Instead, they'll read the year as 1900. And that could cause big problems around the world, according to many published reports about the bug. Just last week, President Bill Clinton assured Social Security recipients they'll get their checks on time after 2000. Other leaders aren't so sure how their computers are going to react when the date changes. But Saratoga, a small city with relatively few computer-driven systems, should come out unscathed. Walker says that since it doesn't have jurisdiction over utilities including gas, electricity or water, there's nothing it can do to help them function properly. Walker says the only potential problems she sees are minor ones, including sprinkler systems at local parks. She's not sure if they'll shut off and not work after Jan. 1 next year. But, she says, if a sprinkler doesn't work for a couple of weeks during the middle of winter, it's not such a big deal. Otherwise, Walker says, the city is doing what it can to get its internal computer systems in check and compliant with Y2K demands. Walker is overseeing the city's overhaul of its computer systems, and expects to have to hire some additional staff people to run tests on the city's computers. She's already had a systems engineer on staff, who primarily deals with upkeep of the city's computers. She says one of the bigger concerns for the city includes individual desktop personal computers. Those, she says, are all relatively new, and should be compliant. However, the city will purchase a test kit that can be run on those machines to determine if any of its hardware or software has the glitch. If a few systems need replacing, then the purchases will likely fall under the normal, yearly upgrades and equipment purchases the city makes. Most of the city's personal computers run on Microsoft software, and that's all supposed to be OK when 2000 comes. Nevertheless, Walker says she'll still test it. The city shouldn't need to spend any more than $50,000 on new computer equipment, and it'll probably spend a lot less. "I feel pretty comfortable about it," Walker says. "But it's something that we're taking seriously." The only other potential trouble spot she sees is the city's larger mainframe computer. She says that computer and all its software are scheduled for a major overhaul and upgrade on Jan. 18. The company that produces software for that machine is providing free upgrades to all cities which use it this year to bring their computers back up to date. If the computer is not fixed, Walker says, it could affect the city's payroll systems and how it keeps track of expenditures, receipts and other bookkeeping materials that are vital to a municipal government's functioning. Walker says she expects all employees in City Hall to get their paychecks, come the first pay period of the new millennium. [ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Saratoga News, January 6, 1999. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.